Ping Zhao Lu

Fangfei Pavilion

As soon as Zhuang Yan stepped over the threshold, the shopkeeper Wang who was standing at the door saw him with his sharp eyes. A smile instantly appeared on his face and he hurried forward to greet him loudly.

Before he could finish his words, he was abruptly interrupted by Zhuang Yan raising his hand.

Zhuang Yan frowned slightly and said in a low voice, "Keep a low profile. The friend I brought here today doesn't like to show off."

Upon hearing this, Shopkeeper Wang quickly swallowed back the words that were about to come out of his throat. He quickly glanced behind Zhuang Yan and discovered that there was someone following closely behind him.

He immediately put on a fawning smile and nodded repeatedly in response: "Yes, yes, I understand. Lord Zhuang, please come in!" As he spoke, he turned sideways and made a respectful gesture of invitation.

Zhuang Yan nodded with satisfaction, then turned around and winked at Xu Zhouye behind him, indicating that he should follow him upstairs.

The two of them walked up the stairs and soon arrived at the door of a private room on the second floor.

"Let's follow the old rules. This private room is reserved for you, Lord Zhuang." Shopkeeper Wang said with a smile on his face, extending his hand and making a gesture of invitation, his posture as humble as possible.

Zhuang Yan simply said "hmm" indifferently, pretending to be profound. He waved his hand and said, "Okay, there's nothing for you to do here. Go down."

Shopkeeper Wang did not dare to be negligent in the slightest and quickly agreed with a smile, then carefully walked out of the door and gently closed it.

After seeing Shopkeeper Wang leave, Xu Zhouye walked to the center of the room and looked around. He couldn't help but feel curious and asked, "You came to a place like this and didn't even ask for some musicians or actors to liven up the atmosphere?"

Zhuang Yan rolled his eyes after hearing this, walked over to the table and sat down, and replied unhappily, "I've already told you, this young master has made up his mind to turn over a new leaf. I'm here just to have a drink, and I won't be ordering anyone to accompany me."

After hearing Zhuang Yan's explanation, Xu Zhouye couldn't help but laugh helplessly, shook his head and said, "Your so-called reform doesn't seem to be on point." Then he walked straight to the seat opposite Zhuang Yan and sat down.

Zhuang Yan understood what his friend was teasing, and with a grin, he poured him a cup of tea. "Everything else is fine, but I really can't quit drinking."

Xu Zhouye took the cup of steaming hot tea with a calm expression, gently blew away the tea leaves floating on the surface, and then took a small sip calmly.

After he put down the teacup, he stopped talking.

For a moment, the entire private room fell into silence.

Zhuang Yan quietly looked at his close friend of many years in front of him, secretly guessing the purpose of his visit.

Finally, unable to suppress his curiosity, Zhuang Yan stood up, walked to the wine cabinet, picked up a can of fine wine that had been treasured in the store for a long time, and slowly poured it into two exquisite wine glasses.

When the wine was full, Zhuang Yan picked up one of the glasses, walked towards Xu Zhouye with a smile, and asked with interest, "You rushed to see me in such a hurry today. I guess you must have something important to discuss with me, right?"

Xu Zhouye was startled for a moment, his eyes flickering for a second, but he quickly regained his composure. He raised the corners of his mouth slightly, and with a hint of barely perceptible stubbornness, he replied, "Can't I just come and reminisce about the past when I'm free?"

Hearing this, Zhuang Yan couldn't help but burst into laughter, his laughter was hearty and clear.

He shook his head and said, "Yes, of course! But from what I know about you, and seeing how you look today, it doesn't seem like you're just here to chat with me."

As he spoke, Zhuang Yan's bright eyes stared at Xu Zhouye, who was wearing a veil, as if he wanted to see through the veil to see what was hidden deep in his friend's heart.

Xu Zhouye felt a little uncomfortable being stared at by Zhuang Yan through the curtain. He subconsciously avoided the other's gaze and was silent for a long time before slowly saying, "There are indeed some things that need to be dealt with, but these things have nothing to do with you." After saying this, he picked up the teacup on the table again and took a sip to hide his slightly nervous mood.

Seeing his friend so persistent, Zhuang Yan knew that it would be futile to ask further questions.

So he smiled slightly, patted Xu Zhouye's shoulder and said comfortingly: "Okay, since you don't want to say more, I won't force you. But if you need me in the future, don't forget to let me know. I can't guarantee anything else, but I will definitely do everything within my ability for you!"

*

imperial study room

Chu Yunxiao frowned slightly, stretched out his slender fingers and gently pinched his swollen eyebrows, then put the memorial in his hand aside. Then he stood up and walked towards the door.

When I stepped out of the door and walked a few steps down the wide and long corridor, I saw a slightly petite person walking slowly towards me from a distance.

He was wearing a long gown as white as snow, and his long, shiny black hair was casually half-tied up, with a few strands of hair gently fluttering in the wind.

As the distance between the two people gradually shortened, the delicate face became clearer and clearer.

Chu Yunxiao paused.

Luo Siyan was seen walking towards the emperor slowly and gracefully.

Following closely behind him was a respectful palace servant, holding a food box in his hand.

When she was only a few steps away from Chu Yunxiao, Luo Siyan stopped, bowed slightly, performed a standard yet elegant bow, and said softly, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."

Chu Yunxiao glanced down at him condescendingly, his expression as cold as frost. He opened his thin lips slightly, with an indifference and alienation that was difficult to conceal, "What's the matter?"

After hearing this, Luo Siyan trembled slightly, but quickly regained his composure.

He still lowered his head, not daring to look directly into the emperor's majestic gaze. Then, he turned around gently, took the food box from the palace attendant, and gently opened it.

Suddenly, an enticing aroma wafted into my nose.

Luo Siyan turned to face Chu Yunxiao again, her red lips slightly parted as she spoke, "I learned that Your Majesty hadn't eaten anything this morning, and I was truly worried. This is a fresh dish I personally cooked, and I hope it suits your Majesty's taste."

Chu Yunxiao narrowed his eyes slightly, followed the other party's words, and casually cast his gaze into the food box.

Inside was a small, exquisitely decorated plate of cakes, each layered with distinct layers. A layer of snow-white substance, like a delicacy, covered the cakes, and a few small, cute pieces of pineapple were dotted around.

Such unique food has never been seen in the palace.

Luo Siyan said softly, "Your Majesty, why not try it?" Then he handed the food box forward.

However, Chu Yunxiao didn't reach out to take the food box. Instead, he put his hands behind his back, frowned slightly, and said disdainfully, "You know I haven't eaten yet, yet you still ask me to eat these sticky things?"

Before he finished speaking, he had already lifted his foot and strode past Luo Siyan. At the same time, a deep and cold voice slowly came: "I do not like imitations, let alone substitutes. If you dress like this again, or even speak and act like this, I will behead you."

When Luo Siyan heard this, he was struck by lightning. His body trembled violently and he stood there in a daze, at a loss for what to do for a moment.

Chu Yunxiao returned to the Golden Palace with a gloomy face.

Seeing that the emperor looked unhappy, Zhao Dequan's shrewd eyes turned slightly, and he understood what he meant. He quickly waved his hand, signaling the other palace servants to retreat tactfully to avoid angering the emperor.

Chu Yunxiao walked to the couch, sat down slightly tiredly, then raised one hand and gently pressed his slightly aching forehead.

At this moment, Su Ming came hurriedly with two palace servants.

Su Ming quickly stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, before leaving, the Queen specifically instructed us, saying that once Your Majesty is busy with government affairs, you will completely forget about me and often forget to eat on time. Therefore, she ordered us to come and ask Your Majesty to eat on time."

After saying this, Su Ming winked at the two palace servants behind him, and they immediately carefully placed the exquisite dishes and steaming rice in their hands on the table one by one.

Chu Yunxiao's originally gloomy expression disappeared without a trace in an instant like dark clouds when he saw the sumptuous meal.

Instead, his gaze softened, staring intently at the delicious food on the table with deep affection. The corners of his mouth lifted unconsciously as he spoke softly, "I understand. Thank you for making this trip. Go down and claim your reward at the Imperial Household Department."

Hearing this, Su Ming and the two palace servants showed joy on their faces and thanked him in unison: "Thank you, Your Majesty!" Then they respectfully left the Golden Palace.